Iran to resume nuclear negotiations

Will discuss program with Europe, rejects U.S. involvement.

Will discuss program with Europe, rejects U.S. involvement.

December 05, 2005

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran said Sunday a resumption of talks with Europe over Tehran's nuclear program could lead to important results. But Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi reiterated that Iran would not accept conditions to the talks, which broke off in August. "If Europeans respect our right, we are optimistic about Iran-Europe talks," Asefi told reporters. "Important talks could be held and important results could be gained." The talks with Britain, France and Germany broke off in August after Tehran restarted uranium conversion. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Wednesday that talks would resume within the next two weeks. No date has been set yet for the talks, which will be held at the level of senior experts, Asefi said. Iran has been under intense pressure to curb its nuclear program, which the United States claims is part of an effort to produce weapons. Iran says its program is for generating electricity. While Iran has frozen its enrichment program, it restarted uranium conversion -- a step toward enrichment -- in August. Uranium enrichment is a process that can produce fuel for either nuclear reactors or atomic bombs. The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned Iran that its nuclear program could be referred to the U.N. Security Council, which has the power to impose sanctions on the country. Asefi rejected the possibility of talking with the United States over the case. "Negotiations with the United States are not on our agenda. There is no need for it. Actually the U.S. intervention in the case is one of the reasons for its complexity."